WATCH: Anthony Rizzo Drops Cubs’ Rookie 1st Home Run Ball in Stands at Wrigley Field

Anthony Rizzo, who won 4 Gold Glove awards, was unable to field a home run ball into the stands at Wrigley Field in the 2nd inning on Saturday.

WATCH: Anthony Rizzo Drops Cubs’ Rookie 1st Home Run Ball in Stands at Wrigley Field

Anthony Rizzo, the 4-time Gold Glove winner, was unable to catch the home run ball as it ricocheted out of his right arm (Image via X/@MLB)

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Saturday was a day of celebration at Wrigley Field for the Chicago Cubs as Anthony Rizzo retired from the MLB. During the celebrations, the 2016 World Series winner would drop the home run ball of rookie Moises Ballesteros into the stands.

The first baseman was seen sitting in the left-center field stands with the Cubs fans on Saturday. With the help of the fans, Rizzo would construct a beer snake and was enjoying his time in the bleachers.

A highlight moment of the game came in the 2nd inning of the game. Rookie hitter Ballesteros would connect on a 96 mph fastball. The left-handed hitter was able to send the ball into left-center field for his 1st major league home run.

At first, it seemed that the ball landed on the lap of Rizzo. However, slow motion replays later showed Rizzo dropping the catch.

The first baseman would stand up in his seat and wave his arms to clear out the fans. He would extend his right arm, the one that he used for catching, and attempt to grab the ball. Without the glove in his hand, the ball would ricochet out of his reach and fall nearby. Check out the video regarding that below:

Anthony Rizzo made a hilarious comment on dropping the catch in the bleachers

Anthony Rizzo stole the spotlight on Saturday. The 36-year-old, who has taken over the role as the ambassador of the Chicago Cubs, would sit with the fans and spend some time with them. During this, he would drop the home run ball off Moises Ballesteros in the 2nd inning. He would later make a hilarious comment regarding this.

Anthony Rizzo
Anthony Rizzo (Image via MLB)

After sitting alongside the supporters, Rizzo made his way through the Cubs’ broadcasting booth during the 4th inning of the game. There, he was asked why he dropped the ball. The ex-New York Yankees star sheepishly claimed that the drop catch was the reason why he retired from the sport.

Because I’m retired. Everyone’s, everyone’s ragging on me. I should have dropped the beer. I didn’t even have a beer in my hand. I had my phone. Everyone was ragging me for the first pitch too. I’m like, I’m retired, like, I don’t need to do this anymore.

Anthony Rizzo in the Cubs broadcast booth

Rizzo, the 3-time MLB All-Star, is a 4-time Gold Glove winner, with one of them being a Platinum Glove in the historic 2016 season. With a glove in his hand on Saturday, the retired infielder would have secured the ball.

Anthony Rizzo wore a special jersey for his retirement ceremony

Anthony Rizzo was the talk of the town on Saturday as he officially retired from MLB after 14 seasons. During his retirement ceremony he would don a special jersey.

Anthony Rizzo
Anthony Rizzo (Image via Reddit)

For the unversed, Rizzo has a special connection with cancer patients. The American international was diagnosed with limited-stage Hodgkin lymphoma at the age of 18. He would go into remission and has stayed cancer free since then.

Rizzo has often visited cancer patients and spent time with them. His foundation, the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation has been able to raise $20 million.

In a post on X, he would show off a Cubs jersey with his name on the back, inked with the signature of all the patients he has visited at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago. He would then wear this jersey on Saturday while celebrating a big moment of his career.

The jersey I’ll be retiring in… signed by all the patients we have visited over the years who were battling cancer. @Cubs @LurieChildrens

Anthony Rizzo on X

Speaking of the game, the Cubs ended up losing 5-4 against the Tampa Bay Rays. This result snapped a 3-game winning run of the team, leaving them with an 84-64 record.

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